Even in the face of a changing world economy, agriculture continues to play an important role in our state’s economy.
For that reason, my colleagues and I in the House of Representatives are committed to supporting agriculture in North Carolina. We have passed a number of new laws this session that I believe will make our agricultural industry stronger. We have also approved studies on a range of issues, including ways to improve poultry worker health and safety and extending greenhouse gas credits to farmers.
The following information includes just some of the legislation we passed this year regarding agriculture in North Carolina.
If you have any questions or if I can be of assistance, please feel free to contact me. Thank you as always for your interest in the work of the General Assembly and state government and thank you for your support.
Animals
The state veterinarian can now implement emergency measures when there is imminent threat from a contagious animal disease that could spread rapidly and have serious consequences. (S.L. 2009-103 — HB 1083). Authorized measures include restrictions on the transportation of potentially infected animals, agricultural products, and other commodities into and out of potentially infected areas, restrictions on access to such areas, quarantines, emergency disinfectant, destruction of infected animals, and other control measures at portals of entry to the State. The state veterinarian was temporarily granted this authority in 2003, but the legislation was set to expire this year.
State law has been updated to make the inspection fees for ostriches and other ratites (emu, rhea) the same as for other meat inspections, removes domesticated rabbits from regulation under the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and makes changes to the exemption provisions applicable to poultry processors in intrastate commerce (S.L. 2009-102 — HB 1104). Previously, a poultry producer could slaughter up to 1,000 chickens and up to 250 turkeys without an inspection, as long as the producer raises the poultry and does not sell it out of state. Under the new guidelines, a poultry producer who slaughters up to 20,000 chickens or 5,000 turkeys of his own raising and that are not sold out of state is subject only to basic sanitation requirements and periodic inspections. An inspector does not have to be on-site at the time of slaughter.
Wild boar hunting season and the harvesting of feral swine are standardized under a new state law that also directs the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to study issues related to the importation of feral swine in North Carolina (S.L. 2009-89 — HB 1118). The department is expected to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly in the coming legislative session.
The Legislative Research Commission has been authorized to study and evaluate the recommendations contained in the report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations resulting from the Equine Industry Study conducted by the Rural Economic Development Center, Inc [S.L. 2009-574, Sec. 2.55 (HB 945, Sec. 2.55)].
The Legislative Research Commission has been authorized to study the development of a coyote nuisance removal program aimed at diminishing the threat presented by the existence of a coyote population in the State [S.L. 2009-574, Sec. 2.57 (HB 945, Sec. 2.57)].
The Legislative Research Commission has been authorized to study ways to improve poultry worker health and safety [S.L. 2009-574, Sec. 2.61 (HB 945, Sec. 2.61)].
Environment
A new state law creates the 24-member North Carolina Sustainable Local Food Policy Council. The purpose of the council is to contribute to building a local food economy to create jobs, stimulate economic development, circulate money within local communities, and provide greater food security for North Carolinians (S.L. 2009-530 — SB 1067). It will also consider and develop policies regarding (1) health and wellness; (2) hunger and food access; (3) economic development; and (4) preservation of farmlands and water resources. The council will also consider ways to use local foods in schools and public assistance programs.
Provisions within this year’s budget require the Board of Agriculture to review all fees under its jurisdiction every odd-numbered year to determine whether any of these fees should be changed and report its findings to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Natural and Economic Resources and the Fiscal Research Division [S.L. 2009-451, Sec. 11.3 (SB 202, Sec. 11.3)].
The Legislative Research Commission has been authorized to study the feasibility and advisability of extending greenhouse gas credits to the business of farming in the same manner that credits are extended to other businesses in the event that North Carolina participates in a market-based “Cap-and-Trade” program for greenhouse gas emissions [S.L. 2009-574, Sec. 2.38 (HB 945, Sec. 2.38)].
The Department of Agriculture has been authorized to study whether the current regulation of the land application of septage and sludge adequately protects human health and the environment [S.L. 2009-574, Sec. 39.1 (HB 945, Sec. 39.1)]. The department may work with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts to determine the total volume of septage and sludge being spread in a county and post maps regarding their findings online. The department may also work with the University of North Carolina to identify cost effective alternatives to land application. The department may report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than May 1, 2010.
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Kay, Matthew, Phillip and I wish for you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.
Meetings/Events
I plan to attend the following meetings/events:
Please invite me to attend your county, city, community or civic, etc. meetings or events.
As I’ve said many times before, I hope you will continue to let me know how you feel about the issues that are being debated by the North Carolina Legislature and the challenges you and your family are facing each day.
By working together, we can make Northampton, Vance and Warren Counties and all regions of North Carolina a better place to live, work and raise a family.
Please remember that you can use the General Assembly’s website to look up bills, view lawmaker biographies and access other information. The site also contains detailed information about the state budget and legislative schedules.